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LINK Mobility Group Holding — Interim / Quarterly Report 2022
Nov 3, 2022
3655_rns_2022-11-03_ba4bb56f-ad04-4522-afa9-5d65e03f859e.pdf
Interim / Quarterly Report
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Interim Report
Third quarter 2022
Thomas Berge, Interim CEO Morten Edvardsen, Interim CFO

LINK facts and figures

2
Third quarter report 2022 highlights

Gross profit increased 7% to NOK 346 million
- Gross profit margin at 26.4%, negatively impacted by higher share of low margin OTP volumes and aggregator traffic
- Stable margins for the enterprise regions

Revenue grew 18% to NOK 1,314 million. Organic revenue growth in fixed currency of 17% ● Temporary high OTP volumes from new global hyperscaler client and large aggregator traffic on favourable routes ● Considerable potential and already signed high margin solutions with new hyperscaler client


Adj. EBITDA growth of 9% to NOK 166 million
● Previously announced opex reductions to contribute to improved margin and growth in coming quarters

LINK signed 420 new and expanding agreements in the third quarter ● Increasing 15% YoY from 365 agreements signed in Q3 21
Cash flow from operations NOK 38 million in Q3 22
- WC negative by NOK 103 million in the quarter due to timing effects of receivables and payables
- WC stable over time with LTM flat

Gross margin (%) by business

Central Europe report high revenue growth but less gross profit growth
- High margin Covid traffic in Austria last year increased comparable figures
- Low margin hyperscaler OTP revenue expected to reduce in the coming quarters
- Already signed agreements on high margin solutions to support gross profit growth
Global messaging segment reported large revenue growth
- Global Messaging margins within normal range
- High revenue growth dilutes group margins
LINK won Inditex Group RFP for providing mobile communications services Strong organic revenue growth - Uneven gross profit contribution
Northern Europe and Western Europe performance similar to previous quarter
- Temporarily lower Nordic growth momentum expected to improve from Q2 next year
- Relatively stable retail spend in France, Italy and Spain QoQ
North America subsidiary Message Broadcast rebounded from previous quarters
- Several new contracts signed since summer contributing in Q3 and Q4 this year
- Normal weather-related critical events messaging in Q3 22
New team established for global clients beyond reach of local salesforces
- LINK approach characterized by deep integrations and long-term client relations
- Several global companies acquired as new customers in 2022 with extensive pipeline
Expansion of mature solutions and switch to richer channels
- More resources directed to upselling cost savings solutions for existing clients
- Significant client value from implementing well-established use cases
- Requires deep value chain understanding as established by LINK's local approach
- Convert existing clients from SMS to Rich SMS and RCS with higher margins
LINK won Inditex Group RFP for providing mobile communications services Several measures implemented to realize improved gross profit growth in 2023
LINK SenderID Protection
- Product launched in close cooperation with MNOs to avoid abuse of brands
- Supporting customers to limit negative impact from fraudulent digital activities
Extending well established product portfolio to large US utilities
- Upselling to existing clients and geographical diversification with new client wins
- High margin products with significant growth potential in a low penetrated market
LINK has established a leading position for RCS

Run rate annual OPEX and CAPEX savings (NOKm)

Opex reductions to support adj. EBITDA growth
- Annual run rate reduction in Q4 23 NOK 52 million
- Amounting to 8% of current LTM adjusted EBITDA
LINK won Inditex Group RFP for providing mobile communications services Opex and capex initiatives on track - Supporting adj. EBITDA and FCF
Lower capex to strengthen free cash flow further
- Annual run rate reduction in Q4 23 NOK 37 million
- Forecasted capex level before initiatives was NOK 180 million per year
Total annual run rate cash savings 41% of current LTM free cash flow

Quarterly savings from Q2 22 cost level (NOKm)

LINK won Inditex Group RFP for providing mobile communications services Large growth potential from new contract wins

* Yearly forecasted gross profit contribution from signed new agreements in the quarter based on best estimate from CRM system data
50,000 active customer accounts
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● 2,000 new customer accounts signed in existing footprint last 12 months ● Acquired growth from Altiria and Xenioo in December 2021
Large and stable customer base growing with new customer wins every quarter
Customer accounts

New agreements signed in quarter / Customer churn (%)

New agreements signed increased 15% to 420 in Q3 22 ● Seasonality in contract signing with Q3 the low season due to summer vacation
Customer churn remains very low at 1%
Forward-looking statement
2022 2025
Full-year organic revenue growth of 8 - 12%
- Versatile business model with diverse use cases and geographical diversification
- Net retention rate expected to be 3-4 percentage points lower than organic revenue growth reflecting historical contribution from new client wins
- Opex and capex reductions have commenced and will ramp up further in 2023, supporting adj. EBITDA, free cash flow and deleveraging
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Pro forma revenue NOK 10 billion ● Growth contribution from accretive acquisitions ● 20% long-term organic growth in mature CPaaS market ● Pro forma adj. EBITDA margin 15-17% with scalability

Financial Review Third quarter 2022


Reported revenue growth of 18% to NOK 1,314 million
Organic revenue growth of 17% in fixed currency ● Strong contribution from global hyperscaler volumes and aggregator traffic ● 29% revenue growth contribution from US (12% revenue growth in fixed currency) ● Relatively stable retail spend in France, Italy and Spain QoQ
Total reported revenue
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Reported volume growth YoY (%)

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Reported volume growth for Q3 22 at 7% and lower than revenue growth ● Higher share of non-messaging revenue like licences and professional services ● Critical event messaging in the US through multiple channels including voice ● Global Messaging volume mix towards destinations with higher price per message
Reported gross profit increased 7% to NOK 346 million
Gross profit grew slower than revenue growth due to margin dilution • Organic gross profit growth in fixed currency was 4%

Gross margin dilution of 2.9 percentage points YoY in Q3 22 • Stable margins in the Nordics, Western Europe and the US • Significant margin decline in Central Europe • High margin Covid related volumes in Austria last year • Strong initial low margin OTP revenue growth from new hyperscaler customer • Considerable potential from already signed high margin solutions with hyperscaler • Mix effect from high growth in low margin Global Messaging revenue
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Gross margin per region (%)

Reported adj. EBITDA increased 9% to NOK 166 million

Adj. EBITDA margin improved QoQ ● Larger contribution from high margin US business
Adj. EBITDA margin lower YoY
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● Gross profit negatively affected by mix effects partly offset by improved opex to sales ● Ongoing opex initiatives supportive to growth and margin from Q4 22
Revenue NOK 1,314 million, an increase of 18% YoY Gross profit NOK 346 million, an increase of 7% YoY Adj. EBITDA NOK 166 million, an increase of 9% YoY
Non-recurring costs of NOK 29 million ● Share option cost NOK 13 million ● M&A related costs NOK 2 million ● Restructuring costs NOK 15 million
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Depreciation and amortization of NOK 105 million ● Depreciation of intangible assets of NOK 19 million from internal R&D ● Depreciation of acquired excess values of NOK 79 million deriving from PPA's ● Remaining related to depreciation of leasing arrangements and fixed assets
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Net financial items positive NOK 71 million ● Net currency exchange positive NOK 112 million with limited cash effect ● Net interest expense NOK 39 million mainly related to outstanding EUR bond ● Other financial expenses of NOK 2 million
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P&L third quarter 2022
| NOK in millions | Q3 2022 | Q3 2021 | Y D 2022 | YID 2021 | Full Year 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total operating revenues | 1 314 | 1 112 | 3 665 | 3 113 | 4 410 |
| Direct cost of services rendered | (968) | (787) | (2 680) | (2 273) | (3 210) |
| Gross profit | 346 | 325 | 985 | 840 | 1200 |
| Operating expenses | (181) | (173) | (547) | (460) | (644) |
| Adjusted EBITDA | 166 | 152 | 437 | 381 | 557 |
| Non-recurring costs | (29) | (60) | (85) | (198) | (252) |
| EBITDA | 137 | 92 | 352 | 183 | 305 |
| Depreciation and amortization | (105) | (101) | (307) | (238) | (338) |
| Operating profit (loss) | 32 | (a) | 46 | (55) | (33) |
| Net financials | 71 | (37) | 131 | (111) | (14) |
| Profit (loss) before income tax | 103 | (46) | 176 | (165) | (48) |
| Income tax | (15) | (31) | (49) | (16) | (30) |
| Profit (loss) for the period | 88 | (78) | 128 | (181) | (78) |
Strong balance sheet
| NOK in millions | Q3 2022 | Q3 2021 | Year 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-current assets | 9 407 | 8 792 | 8 792 |
| Trade and other receivables | 1 118 | 802 | 905 |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 916 | 766 | 844 |
| Total assets | 11 441 | 10 360 | 10 540 |
| Equity | 5 620 | 5 050 | 5 090 |
| Deferred tax liabilities | 602 | 569 | 557 |
| Long-term borrowings | 3 858 | 3 759 | 3 696 |
| Other long term liabilities | 57 | 79 | 64 |
| Total non-current liabilities | 4 517 | 4 407 | 4 317 |
| Trade and other payables | 1 141 | 820 | 1 063 |
| Other short term liabilities | 163 | 84 | 71 |
| Total current liabilities | 1 304 | 904 | 1 134 |
| Total Liabilities | 5 821 | 5 310 | 5 451 |
| Total liabilities and equity | 11 441 | 10 360 | 10 540 |
Non current assets increased mainly due to currency effects ● Marginal additions related to purchase price allocations (PPA)
Cash on balance sheet NOK 916 million
Equity NOK 5,620 million and equity percentage of 49%
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Receivables and payables increased
● Reflecting organic development
● Working capital impacted by increased revenue in the US with low cogs and timing of collection related to OTP traffic revenue expansion
Net interest bearing debt NOK 2,905 million
LINK generates FCF in excess of NOK 200 million per year
| Reported free cash flow | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NOK '000 | Q4 2021 | 01 2022 | 02-2022 | 03 2022 | LTM Q3 2022 | |||
| Adj.EBITDA | 176 | 142 | 129 | 166 | 613 | |||
| Change working capital | 113 | (98) | 89 | (103) | ||||
| Taxes paid | (28) | (13) | (6) | (10) | (57) | |||
| Non-reccuring costs M&A | (30) | (14) | (18) | (15) | (77) | |||
| Payable Social cost on Share options | (6) | (ଚ | ||||||
| Net cash flow from operating activities | 225 | 19 | 194 | 38 | 476 | |||
| Add back non-recurring costs M&A | 30 | 14 | 18 | 15 | 77 | |||
| Adj. cash flow from operations | 255 | 32 | 212 | 53 | 552 | |||
| Capex | (58) | (50) | (45) | (38) | (191) | |||
| Interest | (71) | (3) | (୧୨) | (1) | (143) | |||
| Cash flow after capex and interest | 126 | -21 | 98 | 14 | 218 |
Reported free cash flow Adjusted LTM cash flow from operations NOK 552 million ● Reported cash flow from operations include M&A related expenses ● Free cash flow generated after capex and interest of NOK 218 million
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Working capital (WC) varies significantly between quarters ● Stable WC on LTM basis despite revenue growth ● WC is net negative and a funding source for organic growth
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High cash conversion LTM ● Adj. cash flow from operations 90% to adjusted EBITDA ● Free cash flow after interest and capex 36% to adjusted EBITDA
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Cost reduction initiatives to support FCF generation in 2023
Reported LTM Q3 22 leverage at 4.7x ● Strong FCF to reduce leverage over time
LINK's EUR 370 million fixed coupon bond matures in December 2025 ● Fixed interest rate at 3.375% secured for another 3 years






Net retention rate of 113%
Group pro forma NRR* in fixed currency

Group NRR of 113% in Q3 22 in fixed currency
● Enterprise net retention for the quarter of 104%
New customers added 4% to Q3 22 organic revenue growth ● Contribution from new wins in line with previous quarters




Northern Europe
Revenue (NOKm)




Central Europe




Western Europe
22
Revenue (NOKm)



North America
Revenue (NOKm) Org.growth +76%
Gross Profit (NOKm / %)


Global Messaging
Reiterated Outlook 2020
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